Matt Duffy Awarded for Great Spring Training
Although it’s still unclear whether Matt Duffy will make the Opening Day roster or not, it is safe to say the San Francisco Giants have taken notice of his incredible Spring.
On Tuesday, Duffy was awarded with the Barney Nugent Award, given to the most impressive player in his first major league camp. Duffy was voted for by his teammates, coaches, and team trainers, which makes the award that much more special.
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Duffy has done things a little backwards for the Giants. He earned his first big league call-up, and in turn, a World Series ring for the Giants’ amazing 2014 run, before even attending a major league camp. When most players attend big league camp for the first time, it’s with the goal of gaining experience, not winning an opening day roster spot.
But Duffy doesn’t work that way. Duffy played in minor league camp in 2014, and broke camp with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels. The 23-year-old infielder tore the cover off the ball, hitting .332 in Richmond with 24 doubles and 62 RBI in 97 games.
Mar 29, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants infielder Matt Duffy (50) runs to first during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
When the infield situation got hairy for the Giants, as injuries ravaged through the clubhouse, the team brought up Duffy, and he made his debut on August 1st. He took the role of second utility infielder, behind Joaquin Arias, and proved that he can hang with the big boys.
In 34 games, he hit .267 (16-60) with a pair of doubles and eight RBI. He impressed Giants’ brass so much that he was retained on the postseason roster.
Duffy carried that success over into the 2015 exhibition games, being the most impressive player on the Giants’ roster. He’s hitting .385 (20-52) so far, with four doubles, two triples, two home runs, and 13 RBI. He leads the Giants in average, and is second only to Justin Maxwell in RBI.
The award is named for Barney Nugent, a trainer with the Giants from 1993 to 2003, who passed away last year. The accolade was previously named for Harry S. Jordan, another former trainer in the Giants’ minor league organization, but it was changed after Nugent’s passing.
Some notable previous recent winners of the award include Tim Lincecum in 2007 and Brandon Belt in 2011. Mark Minicozzi, last year’s surprising Spring Training sensation, was 2014’s recipient.
Also on Tuesday, Justin Maxwell was officially signed to a major league contract, making him the fourth outfielder when the season starts. With that, the battle for the final infielder’s job, and the last bullpen spot are the only two unresolved position disputes.
Duffy will have a hard time cracking the opening day roster. Arias’ roster spot is virtually guaranteed, as he’s been a vital piece for the Giants for the past three years, and is the super utility man that every team loves to have. Ehire Adrianza is out of minor league options, and the Giants love his versatility, glove, and to have organizational depth.
If the team were to select Duffy over Adrianza, the latter would need to be placed through waivers, and the team doesn’t seem willing to risk losing him.
Even if Duffy doesn’t make the big league team out of camp, the Giants, and his teammates, have taken notice of how good a hitter he really is. He’ll be back with San Francisco, sooner rather than later.